REVEALED: Plans for new training centre to help students

Tara Miko
Reporter
Tara started with APN in 2010 after graduating with a journalism and politics degree from Griffith University in Brisbane. After two-and-a-half years working on APN papers in the Bowen Basin in Central Queensland, she joined the team at The Chronicle in February 2013. In September that year she took over the reins of the Rural Weekly.

A NEW training centre which includes a mechanics workshop, recycling program and a coffee shop has been earmarked for the Clifford Park Special School.

But plans for the centre, which would teach invaluable life skills to students to help them achieve successful employment, need foundation funds with an online fundraiser seeking $150,000 towards the project.

The target goal is just a fraction of the estimated $500,000 construction cost of the centre for which plans have already been drawn up.

"As part of our emphasis on successful transitioning into life after school, Clifford Park Special School has a long held dream to build a facility which will be known as the Training and Employment Centre," the page red.

"Once constructed the building would house facilities for a mechanics program, an extensive recycling program, and a coffee and collectables shop.

The plans drawn up by Aspect Architects for the Clifford Park Special School.Contributed

"The centre would allow young people to learn the skills required in specific occupations to increase their employability in the Toowoomba community as well as accessing employment opportunities through business enterprises within the centre itself.

"The dream is for the school to work with community groups to jointly use the facility and provide opportunities for young people with disabilities."

The centre's benefits, according to the Gofundme page, include students gaining skills to "operate equipment and tools required in the automotive industry including dismantling engines, car body work, modifying and rebuilding engines, and general maintenance and service of vehicles".